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| HR 156 - Payment of DIC to Survivors of Former POW Died Before 30 Sep 1999
| HR 156 - Payment of DIC to the survivors of former POW war died on or before 30 Sep 1999. |
Take Action! | |
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Please send the following editable message to your Representative --
I urge you to co-sponsor and actively support H.R. 156, introduced by Representative Tim Holden on 4 January.
H.R. 156 would provide for the payment of dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) to the survivors of
former prisoners of war who died on or before September 30, 1999.
Currently only survivors of POW's who died after September 30, 1999, are eligible for DIC. As we move forward
with the war on terror it is important that we continue to honor those service members, and their families, that have previously
served.
Again I urge your co-sponsorship of H.R. 156 and encouragement of your colleagues to do the same. Please
advise of your intentions.
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Family Update:
The next Family Update will be held in Seattle, Washington
on Saturday, September 16 . Each service casualty office is contacting MIA family members within a 350-mile radius of Seattle
to encourage their attendance. Family members from any area are welcome and encouraged to attend. Contact information for
these updates may be found in the Family Information section of this web site.
Family Updates
We invite family members from all wars to attend our " Family Updates " held ten times each year to augment the annual briefings. The meetings provide a means to inform POW/MIA family members
of ongoing accounting efforts. DoD conducts these meetings all over the country so families may have direct access to government
officials. Over 100 family members and 30 government officials attend each meeting.
At the annual and regular update meetings, our briefers are senior officials, experts, and scientists
who work the wide range of tasks associated with our mission. At the meetings, we present formal briefings, answer questions,
and devote time for one-on-one sessions with family members.
We establish the schedule of family update meetings at least six months in advance. You can register
to attend one of these meetings by going to the Upcoming Events section of our website. You can also contact your casualty office for information about the next meeting near your hometown.
Click Here to Visit Our Registration Page
National Alliance of Families
for the Return of America's Missing Servicemen
World War II - Korea - Cold War - Vietnam - Gulf Wars
Roger Hall 301/587-5055
Call
Congress Toll Free at 1-866/727-4894, ask for your Congressman
There is a sample letter on the last page
CALL TO ACTION
H.Res. 111
– To establish, in the House of Representatives a Select Committee on POW/MIA Affairs. Introduced January 30, 2007 by
Congressman Peter King (R-NY), H.Res 111 calls for a select committee to "conduct a full investigation of all unresolved
matters relating to any United States personnel unaccounted for from the Vietnam era, the Korean conflict, World War II, Cold
War Missions, or Gulf War, including MIA's and POW's."
The
Senate Select Committee on POW/MIA Affairs concluded in 1993 that; "There is evidence, moreover, that indicates the possibility
of survival, at least for a small number, after Operation Homecoming...."
Isn’t
it time we find out what happened to that "small number" and address the "unresolved matters" relating to our POW/MIAs
Since
the last congressional hearings were held in 1996, much new information has surfaced regarding the mis-handling and suppression
of POW/MIA information. A former analyst with the Defense POW/MIA Office, provided this information along with many other
disturbing details requiring Congressional attention. Specifically, he detailed a report referred to, in house, as the "185
Report," This report discussed the possibility that as many as 185 American POWs were alive as late as 1976. During the same
time frame the Joint Casualty Resolution Center (JCRC)concluded their own study. They found the possibility existed that as
many as 57 American servicemen might be alive.
In
March 2006, memos written by a former Defense Intelligence analyst while serving as an investigator with the Senate Select
Committee on POW/MIA Affairs were discovered. These memos detailed the Vietnamese admission that some 19 servicemen listed
as died while missing were in fact captured. These servicemen survived in captivity for varying lengths of time, one by Vietnamese
admission survived three years. The committee never addressed this matter. In an interesting side note, 10 of the nineteen
servicemen Vietnamese official acknowledged "survived into captivity" are among the 57 our own (JCRC)concluded might still
be alive.
In
February of 2005, the Joint Commission Support Directorate, the investigative arm of the U.S./Russian Joint POW/MIA Commission
concluded; "Americans, including American servicemen, were imprisoned in the Soviet Union." This is but the tip of the iceberg,
requiring congressional attention. It is time to address the volumes of new information available on POW/MIA matters from
World War II, Korea, Cold War, Vietnam and the Gulf.
It's time for Congress to take another look at the POW/MIA issue.
Sample
Letter –
Dear
Representative
Please
co-sponsor H.Res. 111, introduced by Congressman Peter King of New York. H.Res. 111 calls for the formation of a Select Committee
on POW/MIA Affairs. According to the legislation; "The select committee shall conduct a full investigation of all unresolved
matters relating to any United States personnel unaccounted for from the Vietnam era, the Korean conflict, World War II, Cold
War Missions, or Gulf War, including MIA's and POW's."
We
are aware of past investigations and hearings conducted in both the House and Senate. Those investigations left many unresolved
matters.
Since
the last congressional hearings were held in 1996, much new information has surfaced regarding the mis-handling and suppression
of POW/MIA information. A former analyst with the Defense POW/MIA Office, provided this information along with many other
disturbing details requiring Congressional attention. Specifically, he detailed a report referred to, in house, as the "185
Report," This report discussed the possibility that as many as 185 American POWs were alive as late as 1976. During the same
time frame the Joint Casualty Resolution Center (JCRC)concluded their own study. They found the possibility existed that as
many as 57 American servicemen might be alive.
In
March 2006, memos written by a former Defense Intelligence analyst while serving as an investigator with the Senate Select
Committee on POW/MIA Affairs were discovered. These memos detailed the Vietnamese admission that some 19 servicemen listed
as died while missing were in fact captured. These servicemen survived for varying lengths of time, one by Vietnamese admission
survived three years. The committee never addressed this matter. In an interesting side note, 10 of the nineteen servicemen
Vietnamese official acknowledged "survived into captivity" are among the 57 our own (JCRC)concluded might still be alive.
In
February of 2005, the Joint Commission Support Directorate, the investigative arm of the U.S./Russian Joint POW/MIA Commission
concluded; Americans, including American servicemen, were imprisoned in the Soviet Union."
This
is but the tip of the iceberg, requiring congressional attention. It is time to address the volumes of new information available
on POW/MIA matters from World War II, Korea, Cold War, Vietnam and the Gulf.
Please
add your name as a co-sponsor for H.Res 111, as introduced by Congressman King.
Very
truly yours,
Give name and address so they know
you are a constituent
The Top Seven Reasons We Need H. Res 111
1. The Gulag Study 5th Edition issued Feb. 11, 2005 - compiled by the
Joint Commission Support Directorate (JCSD), the investigative arm of the U.S/Russian Joint Commission on POW/MIAs, concluded;
"Americans, including American servicemen, were imprisoned in the former Soviet Union...."
2. The Tourison Memos - "My review of JCRC casualty files has surfaced several
messages which list a total of nine American servicemen Vietnam has acknowledged were captured alive, all of whom are listed
by DOD as having been declared dead while missing.... This information has come from Vietnamese officials a piece at a time
over the past two years." Another memo states: "My review of POW/MIA case files disclosed DIA/JTFFA message traffic referring
to individuals DOD now has information survived into captivity." Thirteen cases are cited representing 19 servicemen.
These memos
were written by former Defense Intelligence Agency analyst Sedgwick Tourison, during his tenure as an investigator with the
Senate Select Committee on POW/MIA Affairs. Whatever the reason, this information was not made public during the life of the
Senate Select Committee on POW/MIA Affairs.
3. Failure to Investigate the "185 Report" - In 1993, the Defense POW/MIA Office
(DPMO) received a report that 185 American POWs had been held in Southeast Asia after 1973, possibly as late as 1976. The
report was recognized as possibly credible.
During the
mid-l 990's a Russian geologist was interviewed and reported that he was told in 1976 by Vietnamese counterparts that the
Vietnamese Government at that time was holding live American POWs. Neither report has been properly investigated.
4. Failure to Authorize Live Sighting Investigations and the attempt to limit Stony
Beach activity. Reports of live POWs in Southeast Asia are not investigated.
5. Failure to Properly Investigate Reports of POWs in North Korea - A Background
Paper prepared, in 1996, by I.O. Lee, analyst Defense POW/MIA Office (DPMO) stated: "There are too many live sighting reports,
specifically observations of several Caucasians in a collective farm by Romanians and the North Korean defectors' eyewitness
of Americans in DPRK to dismiss that there are no American POW's in North Korea."
6. Failure to Properly Investigate the case of Capt. Michael Scott Speicher - A
well placed source provided the following information to the National Alliance of Families in the summer of 2003; "The one
source that claimed to have been held with Speicher and fed him on a daily basis stated they had been held for 10 years in
the underground prison; that individual was released and left Iraq. The individual that reported feeding the pilot was talking
to an individual outside
Iraq when he made the claim, and the U.S. side never interviewed him.... Don't be misled by those who would pooh pooh the
Speicher reporting."
7. Failure to follow-up on the Conclusions and Recommendations of the Senate Select
Committee on POW/MIA Affairs, January 1993 - " There is evidence, moreover, that indicates the possibility of survival,
at least for a small number, after Operation Homecoming...." Isn’t it time we ask the next question..... what happened
to that "small number?"
Why We Need H. Res 111
What the Documents
Have to Say:
1. Report from the Escape and Evasion Section of the 6004th Air Intelligence Service Squadron, Oct. 19. 1955
- "Ashley and four crew members, (Turner, Olsen, Shaddick, and Ishida) were known to be alive in Communist hands as of the
close of the Korean conflict, Jul 53." What happened to these men?
2.
Memo From John T. Berbrich, Defense Intelligence Agency dated 23, May 1973, to Commander Chuck Trowbridge - "Dr. Shields
called on 21 May..... he viewed both situations as we did and that it appeared that he should not be adamant in denying that
there are no
U.S. PWs in SEA (Southeast Asia.) I agreed, adding that the Cambodian situation is also less than clear and conclusive."
3.
"I am not certain that we have fully clarified everything. I know that quite a few documents were destroyed. However, one
document, probably sensational, is still in storage. I have a copy of it. It's content is as follows: at the end of the
1960s the KGB (external foreign intelligence) was given the task of "delivering informed Americans to the USSR for intelligence
gathering purposes." General Dmitri Volkogonov, Chairman Russian side of the U.S./Russian Joint Commission on POW/MIAs.
Would General Volkogonov made such a statement without.... evidence?
4.
Testimony of Avraham Shifrin before the Subcommittee to Investigate the Administration of the Internal Security Act and
Other Internal Security Laws, Committee on the Judiciary United States Senate, February 1, 1973 - "First I must ask you
to excuse my English, because I cannot speak like you. I learned my English in concentration camps and my first teachers were
kidnaped American officers."
5.
Dispatch No. 947 to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republic from American Embassy Moscow
April 5, 1954 (note: on the document April is crossed out and May is handwritten in) - "The United States Government has
recently received reports which support earlier indications that
American
prisoners of war who had seen action in Korea have been transported to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and that they
are now in Soviet custody."
6.
Joint Casualty
Resolution Center Message Traffic 282114Z Jan 92 - "The fact is an anthropologist with many years of experience
rendered a professional opinion that based on the condition of Lt. Mc Kinnie’s (sic) remains, he was alive subsequent
to Operation Homecoming...."
7. "As of
now, I can come to no other conclusion,." Former Secretary of Defense and CIA Director James Schlesinger before
the Senate Select Committee on POW/MIA Affairs, when asked directly if the United States left men behind in Southeast Asia.
This
information may be accessed from our website. Follow the link.
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November2006 - Volume 7 - Issue 11 |
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In This Issue |
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MFN Mission Critical Info
Military Friendly Deals
Forum Focus
Business Spotlight
Employment Focus:Job Fairs
Community Connections
News You Can Use
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President's Message |
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MFN Celebrates Military Families
This month is Miltiary Family Appreciation Month. We are celebrating the millions of military
spouses, parents, children and servicemembers-both past and present- who have worked hard to make our nation great.
We invite your family and your organization- to be a part of our network supporting military
families serving our nation at home and abroad.
To join, visit www.eMilitary.org/cchome.html and register for yourself or your non-profit
organization.
Businesses wishing to reach out and support our families may email info@emilitary.org.
Let us join together to remember those individuals who place their liberty and their lives
at risk daily so that we might enjoy ours.
Thank a veteran, thank a family...remember them in your prayers.
Caroline Peabody
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© 2006 The Military Family Network |
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The Military Family Network
100 Bridge Street
Suite D 2nd Floor
Hampton
Virginia 23669
Email: connections@emilitary.org
Web: http://www.emilitary.org/
Phone: 866-205-2850
Fax: 757-722-9689
We welcome and appreciate
forwarding of our newsletters in their entirety or in part with proper attribution.
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News You Can Use |
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Get The Military Family Network News Delivered right to your email with Google News Alerts:
Click here to subscribe
WASHINGTON, Nov. 8, 2006 - President Bush's nominee to succeed Donald H. Rumsfeld as secretary of defense brings more than a ...
DeCA takes scholarship applications
FORT LEE, Va. -Gas prices are biting into the family budget, interest rates are rising and college
tuition is outpacing inflation. But, relief is in sight for military families as the 2007 Scholarships for Military Children
program opens.
Applications for the $1,500 scholarships are available at 264 commissaries worldwide, or can be
downloaded at www.commissaries.com, www.militaryscholar.org, or www.dodea.edu.
Bonnie Powell- 2006-11-03
SMARTWebMove Adds Personally Procured Moves
...read more.
Naval Supply Systems Command Office of Corporate Communications, Navy Newsstand 2006-11-06
Children of fallen servicemembers have chance for Disneyland trip
...read more.
Samantha Quigley, American Forces Press Service 2006-11-01
Leave program gives deployed service members 'once-in-a-lifetime' opportunities
...read more.
Cpl. James B. Hoke, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Corps News 2006-11-01
 TRICARE NEWS
WASHINGTON, - Tricare beneficiaries will get a pleasant surprise the next time they visit Tricare
Online. The Web site has a new name, a new look and a new home. It's now part of Tricare.mil, the official Web site for all
Tricare information.
"We reorganized the Web site with our beneficiaries in mind," said Army Maj. Gen. Elder Granger,
deputy director, Tricare Management Activity. "Now they can go to one site to look up benefit information, schedule an appointment
or track claims. Everything's in one place, making the site easier to use."
Tricare.mil comprises five main content areas:
-- My Health (Tricare Online) -- personal health information and online appointment scheduling
for Tricare Prime enrollees;
-- My Benefit -- Tricare benefit information;
-- MHS Staff -- resources for Military Health System staff members;
-- Tricare Providers -- information for Tricare network providers; and
-- Pressroom -- the latest news about Tricare and the military health system.
In the next phase of Web site improvements, beneficiaries will be able to enter their profile and
receive benefit information tailored to them. Tricare expects this feature to be available in winter of 2007.
More about Your Military Family Network
WHAT STATES ARE SAYING ABOUT MFN
Alabama Governor Bob Riley:
I also want to commend the efforts of The Military Family Network to support our military families
and increase community awareness of their needs. The programs and services provided by this organization are a great resource
of information and aid to military citizens and their loved ones.
Colorado Governor Bill Owens
The Military Family Network, with its community-based philosophy and far-reaching care, has
helped our National Guard, veterans, active duty, and reserve soldiers keep in touch with their loved ones. Their hard work
has enabled many of our heroes at home and abroad to maintain their task of ensuring our freedom and prosperity.
Illinois Governor Rod R. Blagojevich
As Governor of the State of Illinois, I am pleased to be a part of the Military Family Network's
book, Your Military Family Network. This publication will serve as a wonderful source for military families to build relationships
with one another.
Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius
Thank you to Military Family Network for providing this service of sharing the resources our
state has available to support our military personnel and their families.
Maryland Governor Robert L Ehrlich, Jr.
Further, let me extend best wishes to the members of the Military Family Network for publishing
this resource. By providing this list of community resources, the Military Family Network is helping military families forge
stronger ties with the state and local community. Thanks again for your contributions to our State and nation
Nevada Governor Kenny C. Guinn
Our sincere hope is that the Your Military Family Network publication will serve as a useful tool
in determining State of Nevada resources available to assist you in determining the best course of action for you as a valued
service member.
New Hampshire Governor John H. Lynch
By providing this list of resources, the Military Family Network helps military families build
relationships with the state and local community. New Hampshire is home to many organizations and businesses that reach out
to the military community, and these ties help strengthen our state and our nation
New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson
The Military Family Network provides an excellent resource for military families to get in touch
with the New Mexico businesses and organizations that contribute to these efforts.
Washington Governor Christine O. Gregoire
I commend The Military Family Network for their mission to support military personnel and their
families by connecting them with their communities. Their efforts to compile a comprehensive guide to community resources
and services that covers all 50 states is a wonderful way to help orient families who are new to an area, in the process of
transitioning, or just in search of military-friendly businesses and organizations.
West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin III
As the Governor of West Virginia, the state with the fourth highest per capita population of military
volunteers in the nation, I think that this book, Your Military Family Network, is a wonderful idea, because it lists all
of the resources available in each state to the military community and their families.
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MFN Mission Critical Information |
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Thanking families...
Bush thanked families for their service during an Oct. 28 visit to Charleston Air Force Base, S.C.
"As the president of the United States, I want to tell you plain and simple," he told military families, "(that) the American
people respect you, they appreciate you, and I'll do everything in my power to make sure the families and those who wear the
uniform have all the support necessary to win this war on terror."
The Military Family Network joins the President in his support of our nation's miltiary families.
We pledge to do everything in our power to ensure that miltiary service members and their families are connected to what they
need in their communities.
We call on each and every person, every community organization, every business to join our network
and be neighbor to a military family. It is our duty.
Contact The Military Family Network today. 866-205-2850 or connections@emilitary.org.
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MFN Military Deals- Holiday Savings |
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Pingo the Planet for as little as 1.8 cents a minute!
Pingo is a pre-paid calling card service that offers military personnel and their families fantastic
rates on calls to over 100 countries around the world.
When our men and women in uniform are called away from their loved ones, Pingo makes keeping in
touch easy, convenient and affordable.
Sign up on-line at www.pingo.com
§ PIN-less dialing with PINpass™
§ Auto-Recharge option for extra convenience
§ Refer-a-friend
bonus of $5 in free calls
§ Mobile users save 90% or more on international calls with Pingo
§ All major credit cards
accepted
Sign up today and get $5 in free calling!
About Pingo
Pingo is a service of iBasis, one of the largest carriers of international calls in the
world. Established in 1996, iBasis provides international calling services for leading phone companies worldwide, including
AT&T and Verizon, and carries close to 30 million minutes of international phone traffic over its global network every
day.
Now, with Pingo, military personnel and their families can take advantage of the iBasis
network to enjoy the same high quality service and pricing as the big phone companies, with the added convenience of simple
toll-free access, automatic recharge and online call history reporting.
So visit www.pingo.com and start saving big on international and domestic long-distance.
Dedicated Military Friendly Company offers best deal to military on direct to home
movie and game rentals
As our way of saying "Thank you" for your service! GameZnFlix would like to extend special discounted rates to you and your families, as well as a FREE 30 Day Trial!
With GameZnFlix you can rent video games and DVDs from one account. GameZnFlix features over 40,000 titles to choose from and a variety of
membership options to meet your gaming and viewing habits. Movies and games are sent with pre-paid return envelopes, and there
are no late fees. Membership packages start at 7.99/month. GameZnFlix ships from four distribution facilities nationwide,
so your games or DVDs will arrive quickly.
Sign up or give the gift of great entertainment today! |
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Forum Focus |
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Keep connected to the best online deals -
Subscribe to: Military Friendly Deals: your key to getting connected with military friendly businesses
and special deals. Moderated by Mike Allen- CEO of Shopping Bargains.com |
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Business Spotlight |
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ABF U-Pack Moving for Military Family Month and Veteran's Day
"We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude. We must take time,
especially during the Military Family Month of November, to sincerely thank our service men and women for their selfless sacrifice,"
said Cynthia Ozick, U-Pack spokesperson.
U-Pack Moving is a service of ABF Freight System, Inc., one of the country's oldest and largest
freight carriers. With 80+ years of safe driving behind our name, U-Pack is the solution for servicemen and women seeking
to do a DITY move. Because U-Pack understands the complexities of military moving, we provide a convenient way to obtain empty
and full weight tickets. And best of all, the U-Pack price includes all transportation fees including fuel, taxes, and tolls.
With over 95% satisfaction from prior military moves, we believe you will be pleased with the service you receive.
U-Pack is the smart choice for your next DITY move. Call 1-800-355-1696 or go online at www.upack.com for a free
quote or more information.
Online coupon: U-Pack extends an ongoing military discount to both active and retired
servicemen and women. We offer a $50 coupon off of an already low moving price. Get a free quote today by calling 1-800-355-1696
or online at www.upack.com. Mention coupon code DITY. You'll be glad you did.
ABF U-Pack Moving is pleased to be chosen as a preferred vendor by the Military Family Network.
We work hard to exceed our customer's expectations when it comes to affordable moving. We believe that dedication is especially
important to our servicemen and women around the country who give of themselves to serve and protect our nation. Moving is
a life event that brings about monumental changes for all members of the family. We want to make that transition as smooth
as possible for military members and families. |
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Employment Focus |
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VA, 11/9, Defense Tech Security Clearance Recruiting Event, Virginia Beach Convention Center, 1000
19th Street, Virginia Beach, VA, 1 PM to 6 PM
VA, 11/9, National Veterans Employment Summit, Scope Arena, 201 E. Brambleton Avenue, Norfolk,
VA, Noon to 4 PM
CO, 11/9, M.O.R.E. Job Fair, Fort Carson, CO, visit www.morejobfairs.com for location and times.
CA, 11/9, VETERANS DAY JOB FAIR, Richmond International Raceway Commonwealth Building 600 East
Laburnum Avenue, Richmond, VA, 10:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M.
VA, 11/14, USA Career Events.com, Elks Lodge, 95 Tide Mill Land, Hampton, VA, 3 Pm to 7 PM
DC, 11/15, Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) Career Fair, Washington DC Convention
Center, 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
DC, 11/16, Defense & Government Career Fair, The Sheraton Crystal City, 1800 Jefferson Davis
Hwy, Arlington, VA, Noon to 5 PM
MO, 11/30, ACAP Job Fair, Pershing Club, Fort Leonard Wood, MO, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Source: Vetjobs.com |
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Community Connections Update |
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Your Veteran Benefits in Alabama
Order your copy of Your Military Family Network to find out more about these and other benefits you are entitled to in your state.
Alabama Department of Veteran Affairs
Mailing Address:
RSA Plaza Building, Suite 530,
770
Washington Avenue
Montgomery, AL
Telephone: 334-242-5077
Website : http://www.va.state.al.us/
Rights Related to Work
PEACE OFFICERS' CREDIT FOR MILITARY SERVICE
Any peace officer who becomes a member of the fund
and who left employment and entered directly into the armed forces of the United States and who returned to work as a peace
office within six months after release or discharge shall receive prior employment service credit for service in the military
not to exceed five years. (Code of Alabama 1975, Section 36-21-69)
PREFERENCE IN STATE CLASSIFIED EMPLOYMENT
All persons who have been honorably discharged from
the United States armed forces at any time shall have five points added to any earned ratings in examination for entrance
to the state classified service. Those honorably discharged veterans with the present existence of a service-connected disability
and entitled to pension, compensation or disability allowance under existing laws shall have 10 points added to any earned
ratings. Wives and widows of certain disabled or deceased veterans may have the 10 point preference extended to them and added
to any earned ratings. (Code of Alabama, Section 36-26-15)
Rights regarding Education
National Guard-The AL National Guard Education Assistance Program provides tuition reimbursement
of up to $500 per semester or quarter. No more than $1,000 annually.
Financial Support Funding
BONUS FOR SOUTHEAST ASIAN WAR PRISONERS
A gratuity in the amount of $500.00 shall be paid to
any person who entered the armed services while a bona fide resident of the state of Alabama and who was imprisoned as a prisoner
of war in North Vietnam, South Vietnam, Laos or Cambodia. If the person qualified for the payment of this bonus died while
a prisoner, the gratuity shall be paid to the next of kin. All applications for bonus or gratuity payments must be made to
the State Department of Veterans Affairs. No payment shall be made except on applications duly received and approved by the
said agency. (Code of Alabama 1975, Section 31-7-1 thru 5)
Rights relating to tax obligations
AD VALOREM TAX EXEMPTIONS
HOMES OF TOTALLY DISABLED PERSONS OR THOSE OVER AGE 65.
Exemption is provided from ad valorem
taxation of the home of any person who is totally disabled or who is 65 years of age or older, and who had a net annual income
of $7,500.00 or less for income tax purposes for the last preceding year. (Code of Alabama 1975, Section 40-9-21)
HOMES OF VETERANS/WIDOWS ACQUIRED UNDER PUBLIC LAW 702
The home of any veteran which is or was
acquired by him pursuant to the provisions of Public Law 702, 80th Congress (specially adapted housing grant) as amended by
(38 USC) regardless of its value shall be exempt as long as the same is owned and occupied as a home by the veteran or his
un-remarried widow. (Code of Alabama 1975, Section 40-9-20)
INCOMPETENT VETERANS
The property of all incompetent veterans to the value of $3,000.00 is exempt
from ad valorem taxation. (Code of Alabama 1975, Section 40-9-1 (17)
MOTOR VEHICLE PAID FOR BY VA GRANT
Any disabled veteran of WW II or of any hostilities in which
the United States was, is or shall be engaged against any foreign state who owns an automobile which has been, is or shall
hereafter be all or partly paid for with funds furnished for such purposes by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA),
under the authority of any act of the Congress of the United States is entitled to exemptions from all license fees and ad
valorem taxes on such motor vehicle provided the veteran keeps the vehicle only for private use. (Code of Alabama 1975, Section
40-12-254)
MILITARY COMBAT PAY INCOME TAX EXEMPTION
Money paid by the United States to a person as
compensation for active service as a member of the armed forces of the United States in a combat zone designed by executive
order of the President of the United States shall not be subject to income taxes levied by the State of Alabama for the calendar
year 1965 or any subsequent year. (Code of Alabama 1974, Section 40-18-3)
MILITARY RETIREE INCOME TAX EXEMPTION
Effective January 1, 1989, and for all successive tax
years, all retirement or compensation received as retirement benefits by any person retired from the military service of the
United States of America and survivor benefits derived therefrom is hereby exempt from any state, county or municipal income
tax or like tax whatever name called. (Code of Alabama 1975, Section 40-18-19 as amended)
Rights related to Medical-Hospital Services
The State of Alabama is extending this special kind of care to veterans through a partnership with
the federal government and private industry. The Bill Nichols State Veterans Home http://www.va.state.al.us/bnhome.htm in
Alexander City has been "home" to hundreds of veterans since its opening in 1989. In January 1995, Alabama opened two more
homes to veterans, the Floyd E. "Tut" Fann State Veterans Home http://www.va.state.al.us/tfhome.htm in Huntsville, and the
William F. Green State Veterans Home http://www.va.state.al.us/greenhome.htm in Bay Minette.
Rights of spouses and children
G. I. Dependents' Scholarship Program
This nationally renowned program was created by Act 633
and approved October 1947 by the Alabama Legislature. It is administered by the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs and
is governed by the Code of Alabama 1975, Section 31-6-1. The veteran must meet the following qualifications to establish eligibility
of his/her dependents. A dependent is defined as a child, stepchild, spouse or the un-remarried widow (er) of the veteran.
Military Service: The veteran must have honorably served at least 90 or more days of continuous
active federal military service or honorably discharged by reason of service-connected disability after serving less than
90 days.
Entitlement: Four standard academic years or part-time equivalent at any Alabama state-supported
institution of higher learning or a prescribed course of study at any Alabama state-supported technical school without payment
of any tuition, required textbooks or instructional fees.
Age Deadline: The child or stepchild must initiate training prior to their 26th birthday. Age 30
deadline may apply in certain situations. There is no age deadline for submission of the application by the spouse or un-remarried
widow (er).
Other
FISHING LICENSE and SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES |
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To the citizens of the USA:
I for one am fed up with the use of the phrase "Separation of Church and State" by
our Courts, Politicians and News agencies. This Phrase IS NOT IN THE CONSTITUTION OF THE USA
OR THE Declaration of Independence.
Their is NO reference to the word CHURCH in any of these documents or their Amendments.
"Separation of Church and state" - the expression Justice William Rehnquist described as
"a misleading metaphor" - appeared in an exchange of letters between President Thomas Jefferson and the Baptist Association
of Danbury, Connecticut. Thus it has NO LEGAL CONSTITUTIONAL meaning in any way, manner or form. We are being duped
by the Courts, Politicians and News agencies into believing that it does. The only reference in the Constitution or any other
of the Founders Legal and binding Documents is in the First Amendment to the Constitution and I quote it " Congress shall
make NO law respecting an establishment of Religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof". That is it folks
nothing more in our Constitution or Laws.
The founding Fathers all of except 3 were Serious Practicing Christians. Some of today's
Justices are fond of saying the Constitution is a a living breathing Document that is subject to interpretation according
to the times. This is pure BULL The founding Fathers clearly stated that no Change what so ever should occur in interpretation
or Practice without an Amendment passed by two thirds of the People.
I for one think it is about time we all wake up and stop the erosion of our Religious Liberties
and Rights by the Courts and Politicians backed by the corrupt Secular News Media and get this Vital Information out to every
citizen so we can bond together and stop this onslaught.
What the founding Fathers were doing was protecting us from what happened in England when
Henry the VIII broke from Rome and declared himself the Head of the Church and established The Church of England demanding
every citizen Practice his Religion and belong to and Swear allegiance to him and his Church. Those who refused
and remained True to Christ and his Church were Persecuted and Tens of Thousands put to Death. This is why Our Constitution
in the Fist Amendment Forbids our Goverment from making any Law respecting an establishment of Religion.
They understood this was a personal right of every citizen to decide on his own along with God his Creator.
I realize I may be bothering some of you with this Rant of Mine However,; the Truth is the
Truth and every American has the Right to know the Truth and stand up for their and our Religious Rights before they disappear
completely.
I Beg you one and all in GOD'S name to forward this information to everyone on your e-mail
list and help wake up the people and restore our Religious Rights before it is to late.
Sincerely, Thomas F. Crowley, Sgt, USMC (ret)
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2007 United States Military Handbook
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by giving them the most accurate and complete information available anywhere on pay, allowances, taxes, health care and TRICARE
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2007 Children's Scholarship Handbook
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Subject: state benefits for veterans
Date: Wed, 9 Jan 2008 15:44:19 +0000
Small change could benefit veterans in a big way
By BRIAN SCHEID
Bucks County Courier Times
The change is expected to be only a sentence or two, but for war
veterans like 92-year-old Joseph Cannon of Springfield,
it could mean
hundreds, maybe thousands, of dollars in savings.
The Upper Bucks resident served on a Navy destroyer in the Atlantic
fleet during World War II where he suffered life-threatening
injuries
he's still not comfortable talking about.
About 10 years ago, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs officially
declared that Cannon was "100 percent service-connected
disabled,"
according to Dan Fraley, director of Veterans Affairs for Bucks County.
The designation meant that Cannon, who has used a wheelchair for
decades, was eligible for a series of federal benefits,
including a
tax-free monthly payment and free health care. Cannon was also eligible
for a number of state and county
benefits as well, the biggest being no
pay property taxes on his Springfield home because of a state law
concerning
his combat injuries.
The only problem was that while Cannon was aware of his federal
benefits, no one told him he was entitled to state
or county benefits.
He figures he paid thousands of dollars in school taxes he didn't have
to pay but said he would
not seek back those taxes.
"I didn't know about it at first," Cannon said. "They told me to go to
the school board and get my money back, but
I couldn't honestly do that.
I'm lucky to be alive and to be able to pay taxes in the first place."
Fraley said his office gets five to 10 calls a year from veterans
unaware of state veterans benefits such as the property
tax exemption.
"Each state, each county has different benefits, so it's a little
confusing," Fraley said. "There's always a number
of veterans that don't
know about what they're entitled to."
Fraley said he was unaware of any school board or municipal or county
government that has paid back a veteran for
taxes he or she unwittingly
paid, since those boards and governments would not be compelled by law
to do so.
"There's really no obligation on any governing body to reimburse that
veteran," Fraley said.
There are about 2,400 veterans in Pennsylvania who have a disability
property tax exemption, including about 120 in
Bucks, Fraley said.
About two months ago, Congressman Patrick Murphy, D-8, an Iraq war
veteran, and Congressman John Hall, D-N.Y., wrote
a letter to Daniel
Cooper, the VA's undersecretary for benefits, encouraging VA officials
to better inform eligible
veterans of their benefits.
"Most states have a number of different programs designed to reward
veterans for their faithful service to our nation,"
Murphy and Hall
wrote. "However, we are concerned that veterans may be unaware of state
benefits that could have a significant
impact on their lives."
Last month, Cooper wrote back, promising to include a paragraph about
state benefits each veteran is entitled to in
award notification
letters. The addition, which will be added to letters by spring, will
tell veterans to contact their
state and county government to find out
what other benefits they can receive.
"It's a small thing, but it will go a long way to make sure veterans
receive all their benefits," Fraley said.
January 9, 2008 6:11 AM
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